PUPILS at Butterknowle Primary School have been recognised for their conservation work.
The children have been working with the Wear Rivers Trust, to learn more about the River Gaunless, and the School of Rocks to find out about the geology of their area, after which they received the John Muir Award,from the rivers trust.
Teacher Anne Dauber said: “They explored the River Gaunless from its source and that involved going on to Cockfield Fell.
“They explored how the river was used over time and investigated the pre-historic settlements.”
She added that they had also explored the bio-diversity of creatures in the river.
Ten-year-old Will said: “It was very exciting, especially the bit where we had to go into the river with nets.”
This month the focus has been on geology with the children taking a trip to see Killhope Lead Mine.
Nine-year-old Jasmine said: “I liked it when we had to walk into the mine and we saw a big wheel. It was fun to learn about all the different types of rocks.”
Last week they visited a nearby farmer’s field where they learned more about dry stone walling and helped repair a damaged wall in the process.
